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Sunday, November 21, 2010

DIY Grippy Socks

I recently read an article over at I am Momma-Hear Me Roar on how to make grippy socks using standard socks and puffy fabric paint. Here are the steps I took to make some for Jack:

Supplies:Socks in your child's size: I bought some from WalMart similar to those found here (in fact, I think they're the exact same size but I bought them in smaller than a 12 pack). Cost per pair = $0.73Puffy paint: I know you can get bigger bottles, but I got the smaller ones for ease of handling in my small hand. Cost per bottle = < $1; I estimate this boils down to $0.05 per pair for paint, depending on how much you use on your designCardboard: I just remember fabric paint always going through fabric when I've used it in the past. I decided to use empty cardboard toiletpaper tubes because it ended up being about the perfect length to fit into Jack's size sock. Cost = free because they would've otherwise been thrown away

Put the outside of the curve against the sole of the sock, where I would be painting, to make sure to smooth out the fabric.

Before painting (they are previously worn/washed)

My color palate of puffy paint!

After (still wet)! I just had fun and played around with different shapes. I will probably see which ones help Jack the most before repeating this process on more socks!

I had a lot of fun doing this! I will possibly get a little more creative in the future with the designs to show a bit more of Jack's personality, but I wanted to start small. You could probably apply the same concept to knit adult socks to make grippy slippers!

You have no idea how happy I am to have run across this post! I had back surgery in July and had an unexpected setback. Two of the nerves in my back were damaged and I am now in a wheelchair...hopefully just temporary, but it is possibly permanent. The grippy socks they gave me at the hospital were so huge on my size six feet that they were a fall hazard themselves, and I just paid 10 bucks for two pair of Dr.Scholls spa socks last night. I decided there had to be a way to make them and this is the first site that caught my eye when I googled it. I can happily say that I have at least 30 bottles of puffy paint that I use for card making. Guess I have a new use for it now! Than you for sharing...and saving me from a potential fall!

Thank you for posting your idea. My dad is in an alzheimers care facility and has had a number of falls. The staff has been requesting grippy socks but we couldn't find them at Target etc. This is an easy fix...something my dad and I can do next time I see him. Thanks a bunch!